4 years/$53M (2014-17). Signed by St. Louis as a free agent 11/24/13. 14:$15.5M, 15:$15M, 16:$12.5M, 17:$10M. Limited no-trade protection. DFA by St. Louis 6/9/17. Released 6/13/17. Signed by Boston as a free agent 6/23/17 (minor-league contract).

Starlin Castro has been a disappointment and Jhonny Peralta comes off waivers overnight. Is Peralta a better bet ROS? And if so would you use a #3 waiver priority on him in a 14 team points league?(Danya from Portland )

Castro has more upside, but he also has more downside. Peralta is safer.the 50th percentile projection for each is about the same. Go with the one that matches your risk tolerance best. If it's a keeper league, lean towards Castro since he's younger and has a less Miggy-ish body type. (Scooter Hotz)

With the injury to Jhonny Peralta, what options do the Cardinals have? What do you think of the in-house options, Greg Garcia and Aledmys Diaz? Any SS available out there for trade?(Zonk from Chi-Town)

Synergy! The best option might be the one floated by Dave Cameron at FanGraphs already: Erick Aybar. With Ozzie Albies already the talk of Braves camp, I could certainly see the Braves making this move, and Aybar feels like a very Cardinals ballplayer. I am not all in on Garcia or Diaz, and Gyorko at shortstop is cringe-inducing. They should make a move. They're not very exciting options, but I think the Cards could give the Mets a call about one of Wilmer Flores, Matt Reynolds, or Dilson Herrera. Or maybe Arizona for Chris Owings or Nick Ahmed. (Bryan Grosnick)

After a rough start to his career (name issues and injuries) Aledmys Diaz seems to be establishing himself. Does he have the offensive and defensive chops to step in at SS for Jhonny Peralta?(Cubbie Bear from Chi-Town)

He'll hold his own, but the upside is limited. I think he can step in and be reliable, but I don't see a big jump up for him as a hitter. Defensively he'll be fine. (Mike Gianella)

Hey mike, 8 team NL only league, 5x5 roto. I'm in last place and struggling with injuries. I have an offer where I would get Jhonny Peralta and Jay Bruce for pence. My shortstops are either Owings or Addison Russell, neither has been very good. Is it worth giving up Pence for those 2 guys? Bruce has been pretty bad too. Thanks(ganz1080 from CT)

I'd do that. I like Pence, but I think you're getting a lot of value back. Bruce will hit enough to make it worth it in that format. (Mike Gianella)

What's your take on Jung-Ho Kang? What is a reasonable timeline for his arrival at the ML level and what sort of production would you expect? Does he have the natural ability to stick at SS?(Angels Hound from LA)

I don't have one so I quickly demanded an answer from Bret Sayre. He said "Best case, he's a Jhonny Peralta type with decent average and 20 HR pop.
Maybe not a SS thiugh." Don't fault him for the misspelling though, I was yelling at him to hurry it up. (Craig Goldstein)

Who should Tiger fans be rooting for out these last 4 teams? Perhaps the Royals, since that would ensure years more employment for Dayton Moore and Ned Yost?(John from Cincinnati)

The Orioles have Quintin Berry (non-rostered) and Delmon Young, but a championship may fatten the Andrew Miller price tag. For the ERoyals, I think Moore and Yost are hanging around regardless, and if they win then we can say the AL Central's lifespan has seen dynasties by the Indians, Twins and Tigers but championships from the Royals and White Sox. What a world. Inherently Tigers fans cannot wish well on the Giants nor the Cardinals for pseudo-clutch reasons. But Jhonny Peralta deserves to be happy, so if that's what happens then good for him. After all that's how Gerald Laird got his ring. (Matt Sussman)

20-team mixed dynasty, I own Tulo. His DL time this year killed me in the playoffs, and I am now looking to deal him. Obviously youth/health are the way to go, I know, but Segura and Bogaerts are probably not workable deals (team dynamics won't work). I also own Addison Russel, but I hesitate to trust rookies right away, especially as a top 3 team right now. Suggestions?(AJ from Phoenix)

Shortstop is a pretty mixed bag at the moment. You could downgrade to Hanley and change but that's not going to ease your mind when it comes to health injuries. Your other options are Jhonny Peralta, or hoping someone like Ian Desmond can bring the batting average up a bit. No one is going to give you what Tulo does when healthy though. (Craig Goldstein)

In a 5x5 (with obp) in which I have a big lead in steals, should I drop Jean Segura for Alexei Ramirez or Jhonny Peralta? I was wondering this before his tragedy, and now I wonder if he will even be able to come back any time soon. Hopefully he and his family can find a way to get through this.(Hangin on from D.C.)

Yeah, it's just horrific what happened to Segura and his family. Awkwardly shifting to the fantasy angle, I'd go for Peralta if you're looking for non-speed offense. (Paul Sporer)

In a 5x5 (with obp) in which I have a big lead in steals, should I drop Jean Segura for Alexei Ramirez or Jhonny Peralta? I was wondering this before his tragedy, and now I wonder if he will even be able to come back any time soon. Hopefully he and his family can find a way to get through this.(Hangin On from D.C.)

I understand no qualifying offer for Jhonny Peralta, but Omar Infante and Joaquin Benoit? They need both guys and now if they don't sign they don't get a draft pick either. (DetroitDale from Tallahassee (eternal spring training))

What relievers have ever made qualifying offer money? Rivera, and...Rivera. Papelbon, almost. Benoit is good, but he's not going to get that on the open market. I agree that there was a more compelling case to make for extending the QO to Infante. (Ben Lindbergh)

There is speculation in the Detroit media that the Tigers won't take Peralta back, despite the obvious boost he gives them at shortstop, because of "image" concerns. I think that, if they don't play him and lose at any point, their image is tarnished forever. The Giants got to the WS because of a huge contribution from Melky. What do you think? (Tigerdog from Orange county CA)

Well, they did trade for Iglalasis.

Tigerdog, hijacking your question to run this. It's official:

Major League Baseball issued the following discipline today for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in relation to the Biogenesis investigation. Players receiving 50-game suspensions without pay for their violations of the Program are:

Norberto's suspension will be effective immediately once he signs with another Major League organization. All other suspensions are effective immediately. None of the players will appeal their discipline.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, all of whom already have served 50-game suspensions as a result of their violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program stemming from their connections to Biogenesis, will not receive additional discipline.
Major League Baseball's investigation found no violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez or Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia.

STATEMENT FROM THE TIGERS:
The Detroit Tigers today issued the following statement regarding the suspension of Jhonny Peralta:

"We recognize the suspension of Jhonny Peralta for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program as a measure taken in the best interest of the game. The Detroit Tigers continue to fully support Major League Baseball's policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outline by Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement, the Tigers' organization will provide no further comment on Peralta's suspension."

STATEMENT FROM PERALTA:
"In spring of 2012, I made a terrible mistake that I deeply regret. I apologize to everyone that I have hurt as a result of my mistake, including my teammates, the Tigers' organization, the great fans in Detroit, Major League Baseball, and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions, have no excuses for my lapse in judgment and I accept my suspension.
I love the fans, my teammates and this organization and my greatest punishment is knowing that I have let so many good people down. I promise to do everything possible to try and earn back the respect that I have lost." (Maury Brown About Biogenesis and Business)

What are your thoughts on Aybar? I picked up Peralta as a replacement when he went down and he's been sooo much better.(dandaman from Sea Cliff)

Hi dandaman.

Erick Aybar is a solid fantasy player because of the steals but he suffered a hamstring injury earlier this year and hasn't been running since he returned. He is doing absolutely nothing else, so while a bounce back is likely you can feel free to keep Jhonny Peralta and dump Aybar in a mixed format. (Mike Gianella)

Hey Jason- here's my situation: I picked up Jhonny Peralta and Kelly Johnson to fill in for Aybar and Aaron Hill. They have both exceeded expectations to the point that I haven't put Aybar back in my lineup and I'm really not sure I'd put in Hill when he returns. Complicating the situation I just managed to pick up Profar as well. My dilemma is that I'm not sure any of them really have fair trade value for me and I don't want to drop them. Your thoughts on the players involved and what you would do with the situation? Thanks(DanDaMan from SeaCliff)

Aaron Hill hasn't resumed baseball activities yet and Profar doesn't have a clear path to playing time after Kinsler returns. Johnson has been outstanding and I think he could be in line for more playing time out of the 2-hole here eventually because he's that productive with his plate appearances. I'd try to move Profar first, and then Peralta because at least Johnson is also running. (Jason Collette)

Do you see big (or at least notable) regression from Alex Avila and Jhonny Peralta? The seasons posted by these two were key factors in the Tigers winning 95 last year.(lemppi from Ankeny, IA)

I think any time you see a guy post a 6 WARP season who has never done anything like that before, you expect a good deal of regression. Peralta's numbers were more in line with his career, although again any time you see an outsized performance you expect some falloff. (Colin Wyers)

Can Jason Donald actually play shortstop? Because he hasn't thus far. Who plays 2B for CLE in 2012, Jason Kipnis? Should the Tribe let Jhonny Peralta play SS for two weeks in a desperate attempt to show off his "versatility?" (But seriously: Donald is an atrocious SS.)(buffum from Austin TX)

What's wrong with Asdrubal? Is he going to be gone in 2012, guaranteed? (Marc Normandin)

What would it take to get Aaron Harang from the Reds? I'm wondering if their desire to shed salary and his misleading numbers might make them likely to unload him. Their catchers and shortstop were horrific this season: could the Indians craft a package with Kelly Shoppach, Jhonny Peralta, and a pitching prospect not named Hector or Nick, or would the Reds be looking for a pure prospect package?(buffum from Austin TX)

Do they have a desire to shed salary? They're not paying that many people as is. I can't see your offer getting it done, even granting your premise. That's a terrible deal. You'd have to do it with real prospects. (Joe Sheehan)

Does Andy Marte deserve a starting spot on the Indians next year? And what is the perception of Grady Sizemore? Still a top ten player to build around?(Andy from Saskatoon)

He deserves consideration, anyway. The Indians' LF/1B/3B situation might need clarity, which I would provide with a long overdue trade of Jhonny Peralta. That still leaves Matt LaPorta, who ends up at first once Michael Brantley is deemed ready. Not sure Marte can fade all this competition. (Joe Sheehan)

Which of these SS's do you think would have the most value in a trade around the league: Jhonny Peralta, JJ Hardy, or Mike Young?(Lincoln from Dallas)

Peralta has a better deal and more upside. I think we know who Hardy and Young are. Young's in decline and while I think he has value, that contract's going to look bad in a year or so. Now, put him on the right team where he's the hard-charging veteran or shift him to second and I think it improves. He'd work well on the Cubs. (Will Carroll)

People in Cleveland are clamoring for Jhonny Peralta to move to 3B. Isn't he one of the best SS? Wouldn't the Tribe be better off signing a one year stop gap or giving Wes Hodges the gig in 2009?
(warclub from Strongsville, OH )

Asdrubal Cabrera is the best shortstop the Indians have, and should be playing there. Whether that means Peralta at second base, shortstop or another team is irrelevant.
Eric Wedge pinch-hit Jamey Carroll for Andy Marte the other day in a high-leverage situation. Why? What good is the rest of your season if not to find out if Andy Marte can be a major leaguer? (Joe Sheehan)

What happened to the Indians? There are no sure things, but usually injuries play a part when things don't happen. Only Haffner, a huge disappointment, is hurt.(john from ct)

The problem with trusting to your ability to put together functioning platoons in the outfield corners is that you have to have enough working parts to put them together, and the Indians didn't, not really. Andy Marte's failure to develop is something nobody really foresaw, but I think there's also a lot to be said for how much Jhonny Peralta's been a tough player to figure out what to do with, and Garko's limited upside doesn't really help, and add in Hafner's tragic case of the olds seems to really just cinch a system-wide failure on offense. (Christina Kahrl)

I was surprised that Jhonny Peralta wouldn't be one of the top 14 shortstops with his power potential: I mean, having the range of a houseplant doesn't factor into 5x5, right?(Buff from Austin TX)

I'm not the person to ask for positive things to say about Peralta. He was disappointing again last year, and if you adjust for his BABIP, he comes out even worse. PECOTA isn't a huge fan either, and remember how much it loved him last season. (Marc Normandin)